Plyometrics (Page 2)

I think here conditioning is meant to indicate training of the aerobic systems. Bcagle is pointing out that the purpose of plyometrics is to increase maximal power, not aerobic endurance. If you do not allow rest, you are not getting the intended benefits out of your plyometrics

I agree about allowing for rest.  But I do think plyometrics that take you into zone 4/5 are impacting the cardio system positively.  Examples would be 60-90 seconds of repetitive motion such as jumping lunges, power squats (with hopping motion), hops over a low bench.  We do this in a drill based format with plenty of rest in between each drill set.  To me, that is cardio conditioning and that is a tough workout that zaps me for a day.

I think plyometric is a broad term.  I see it defined a certain way by NSCA as referenced in this thread but that's just one agency.  It's more generally defined as "jump training".  I'm looking at the term from a general fitness standpoint, not from a sport specific training standpoint.

Sorry, this very well may be common knowledge, so I apologize. But what exactly is an age-grouper? 

To say that plyos have no place in a conditioning class, I respectfully disagree.  I don't even understand the statement you quoted above "On this note, remember that plyometric exercises are not meant to be conditioning. They are exercises aimed at increasing power development".  Isn't increasing power development a way to condition the body?

Secondly, I've already stated that we make a full recovery between sets so I'm not sure why you're citing that again.

Since its introduction in the early 1980s, two forms of plyometrics have evolved. In the original version of plyometrics created by Russian scientist Yuri Verkhoshansky, it was defined as the shock method.^[6][7] In this, the athlete would drop down from a height and experience a “shock” upon landing. This in turn would bring about a forced, involuntary eccentric contraction which was then immediately switched to a concentric contraction as the athlete jumped upward. The landing and takeoff were executed in an extremely short period of time, in the range of 0.1- 0.2 seconds. The shock method is the most effective method used by athletes to improve their speed, quickness and power after development of a strong strength base.^[7]

Rather than using the term plyometrics to indicate exercises utilizing the shock method, it may be preferable to use the term explosive or true plyometrics which can be considered the same as the plyometrics originally created by Verkhoshansky.^[3] The shock method that he created was the result of studying the actions that occur in running and jumping. He found that the landings and takeoffs in these two skills involved high ground reaction forces that were executed in an extremely quick and explosive manner. For example, time of execution of the landing and takeoff in jumping was close to 0.20 seconds and in sprinting it was approximately 0.10 seconds.^[6]

Since one of the main objectives of the Soviet research was to develop practical methods of training to improve athletic performance, Verkhoshansky tackled the task of how these forces in explosive execution could be duplicated in an exercise. By doing exercises such as the depth jump, that he created, the athlete would enhance his ability in the takeoff and his resultant performance in the running or jumping event.^[7] He experimented with many different exercises but the depth jump appeared to be the best for duplicating the forces in the landing and takeoff.

The second version of plyometrics, seen to a very great extent in the United States, relates to doing any and all forms of jumps regardless of execution time. Such jumps cannot be considered truly plyometric (as described by Verkhoshansky) since the intensity of execution is much less and the time required for transitioning from the eccentric to the concentric contraction is much greater. The term plyometrics became very popular with the publication of many books on the subject matter. It now appears impossible to go back to its original meaning and method of execution.

As a result, it is important to distinguish which type of “plyometric” exercise is used in order to determine its effectiveness and potential to receive the stated benefits. Understand that even though the name plyometrics is given to all jumps, not all jumps are plyometric.  

I don't often like to cite Wikipedia, but the entry for plyometrics actually has a pretty good explanation that may clear up some of the confusion in this thread.  I've bolded a few key points:

Ben and I are both referring to true plyometric exercises that utilize the Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC) via a very short amortization phase and relatively long recovery periods.  Noelle, you seem to be using the second version of the term defined above.  I've seen coaches and even some personal trainers use this second looser definition, but NSCA personal trainers and strength and conditioning coaches seem more inclined to use the stricter definition and differentiate this type of exercise from other types of jumping, and explosive conditioning exercise.